How to Care for a Dining Room Table

Having a formal dining room doesn't have to mean dressing in stiff clothing and using 27 forks. Setting one table aside for large dinners and special occasions does mean a little extra work, but having room for dinner parties is well worth it. How you care for a dining table depends on what it's made of. Whether it's a piece of heirloom hardwood passed through the generations, or one you bought at a big-box store and assembled yourself, carefully caring for dining tables extends their lifespan -- and your pleasure. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Polish your stained or varnished wooden dining table with a clean, lint-free cloth and furniture polish. Don't use polishes containing wax on a varnished table, as wax can dull the shine. A table pad is a good way to protect wood tables from chips and scratches.

2

Clean a painted wooden table with a sponge dipped in warm water and wrung out until it is barely damp. For stains and spills, you can use a tiny -- about the size of your pinkie nail -- amount of mild dish soap on a soft-bristled toothbrush. Wipe the surface clean with your damp sponge.

3

Care for tile, marble, granite tabletops with spray bleach and a sponge, as long as the sealer will not react with the bleach. Check with the manufacturer to be sure. If bleach is too harsh, use mild dish soap.

4

Use glass cleaner and a clean, lint-free cloth to clean and polish glass tables. Don't forget to clean the underside of the tables, as fingerprints and dust do accumulate there.

5

Use tablecloths or place mats on all types of tables. They are not only decorative, but they also will protect the tabletop from water rings, scratches and stains.